Problems of Fictionalising Historical Characters: With Special Reference to Rani by Jaishree Misra

Abstract

Our Indian education system is such that we are taught a lot about history, long fought battles, wars, invaders and kings and rulers who died when and how.  In broader sense, history does not only about dates and battles, it associates and intersperses our past and present with social, cultural, religious and traditional discourses.  Our history spanning over thousand years guide our present and future. Indian writers have given their thoughts flying colors making our history unbelievably great.  They get inspired from our enormously vast past incidents and express them according to their views and idea.  There is no particular parameter which may define the history as fiction.  Indian mythological epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata have been described and redefined in numerous different ways.  India and Indian people have suffered a lot when British army ruled us for more than 200 years.  There were many brave patriots who fought for our independence.  One of such fighters is Rani Lakshmi Bai. This paper explores her life validating history through the novel, Rani.  This novel is written by Jaishree Misra.  Indian writers have explored the life and bravery of this amazingly courageous woman who redefined the womanhood and valor in her own way making a wave for the revolutionary fight for independence.